Compact disk (CD) storage case and method for storing a CD

ABSTRACT

A method for storing a disk comprising providing a disk having a disk opening, providing a disk storage container having a base with a disk recess and a hub generally concentrically disposed in the disk recess, and disengaging an end side of a lid from a rear channel of an upright rear wall attached to said base. The method for storing additionally comprises sliding opposed sides of the lid in side channels of opposed upright side walls attached to the base and to the upright rear wall, passing the hub of the disk recess through the disk opening of the disk, and resting the disk on a bottom of the disk recess for storing the disk. A disk storage assembly having a base including a structure defining a generally circular recess having a concentrically disposed hub, an upright rear wall attached to the base, and a pair of upright side walls attached to the base and to the upright rear wall with each side wall having a structure defining a side channel that communicates with the rear channel and is generally collimated therewith. A lid is slidably disposed in the side channels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a disk (e.g., CDs, digital-video disks(DVDs) and other disk storage devices) storage case. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a non-hinged compact disk (CD) storage case and method for storing a CD. More particularly further, embodiments of the present invention provide a method for storing a CD and a compact disk storage case having a sliding lid that is neither hinged nor otherwise pivotally coupled to the base.

[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art

[0004] The ongoing success of optically readable mass storage media, such as CDs, computer Read Only Memory (ROM) disks, and, more recently, DVDs, has generated the need for relatively inexpensive cases for safely storing such disks therein, the most popular standard case for CDs is the jewel case, a transparent hinged three-part structure designed to retain the disk within. The jewel case has essentially become the industry standard for CDs. Its design has been used to define a portion of the CD manufacturing and packaging process. Specifically, the automated equipment used to form and enclose CDs in a case having informational, marketing, etc., graphical materials inserted therein, is designed to fit such materials within the faces of the case, and to fit the completed CD onto a stationary hub that fixes the CD in place within the case.

[0005] The standard CD jewel cases are formed of three parts—two open-faced frames hinge-connected together, and a hub plate having a centered hub designed to fit within the inside diameter of the CD center hole. One of the frames has two opposing sidewalls, each of which has one or more tabs for retaining informational booklets, marketing booklets, or the like, and a transparent frame face for observing such materials therethrough. Each of the opposing sidewalls of that frame also includes a corresponding pivot nub for pivotal coupling to the second frame. The second frame of the standard existing jewel case includes a pair of opposing sidewalls, a pair of opposing endwalls, and a transparent frame face. It is to be noted that the frame faces of the respective open-faced frames define the length and width of the jewel case. The second frame is designed to retain therein graphical materials observable through the transparent frame face and through the transparent endwalls. The second frame includes means for removably fixing the hub plate therein, and its sidewalls have opposing corresponding indentations for receiving the nubs of the sidewalls of the first frame for pivotal movement thereof.

[0006] Various jewel cases manufactured by multiple suppliers may have hub plates of different designs. For the most part, however, they include a round depression sized slightly larger than the CD within which the CD sits. A relatively flexible rosette or hub rises from the centered of the depression and is designed to be of about the same size as the inside diameter of the center hole of the CD. The hub is typically designed to have some flexibility, such that when the CD is positioned in the depression and on the hub, there is a tight fit between the hub and the CD. In this way, the CD is supposed to remain within the depression of the hub plate until the user pops the CD off of the hub in a manner well known to most of the general population.

[0007] Unfortunately, the previous hinged designs often result in irreparable damage through normal use to one or more parts or pieces of the hinge mechanisms causing the need for disposal. Merely by opening and closing the CD Jewel case to have access to the CD within, should not cause reason for alarm to the owner of the CD Jewel case.

[0008] It has been observed that some disk storage containers are designed in a manner such that the lid may be separated from the base fairly easily, particularly under expected consumer usage. Once the lid has been removed, it can be difficult for the user to re-apply it and, in some instances, may not attempt to, thereby exposing the disk retained within to a greater potential for damage. Further, the material typically used to form the storage cases is made of polycarbonate, as earlier noted. Unfortunately, this transparent material is quite brittle and can either crack under a variety of stress conditions—such as by banging against a fixed surface, or by being dropped. In addition, even if the brittle case does not fail, its rigidity can translate impact conditions directly to the disk contained therein, thereby causing its failure. It would be desirable to have a disk case that can withstand high-stress loading and that can protect, to a degree, the disk under such conditions.

[0009] There are a variety of types or mass storage structures, other than the common 640 megabyte CD, used to retain massive amounts of information on a relatively small medium. Increasingly, the digital-video (or digital versatile) disk (DVD) storage structures have been employed in order to store much greater quantities of data—on the order of 17 gigabytes or more. This has enabled the application of relatively complex multimedia presentations, such as full-length feature films, for example, onto laser readable materials. It is well known that such storage provides for much better information presentation than conventional tape-based cassette. In addition the DVD is generally a more robust medium than tape.

[0010] Now that DVDs have entered the market, there has yet to be established a convention in regard to the holders and storage containers for such disks. As a result, there exists a wide array of DVD containers and cases. Some are similar to conventional CD containers in that they come in three parts, the base, the lid and the removable hub plate. Others come as one or two-piece units with various forms of lid capturing mechanisms as well as various types of graphics retention devices. All come with some form of disk-retaining recess having at its center a hub for coupling to the inside diameter of the disk.

[0011] There exists a concern with the process of opening a hinged lid too abruptly causing damage beyond repair thus causing the need for discarding and replacement with previous inventions and designs. Apart from that, it is not particularly desirable to have a variety of disk containers as it makes it much more difficult to establish standardized disk packaging equipment and processes.

[0012] What is ultimately needed is a container for mass-media storage disks that may be used in conventional automated disk packaging processes with limited modifications to existing automation movements. What is also needed is a disk container that provides for adequate retention of the disk within the container. Further, what is needed is a disk container that is relatively inexpensive to produce and that is formed of a minimal number of parts easily coupled together. Still further, what is needed is such a disk container that is designed to present the disk for easy removal and that is formed of a material of improved pliability as compared to existing disk cases. Also, what is needed is a disk container having a lid-and-base arrangement that limits the opportunity for damage of those components under expected use conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of this invention to provide a container for mass-media storage disks that may be used in conventional automated disk packaging processes with minimal change to the automation movements presently in use. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a disk container that allows for repeated access to the contained disk without causing undue stress on the Jewel case structure during the process of removing the disk from the container. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a disk container that is relatively inexpensive to produce and that is formed of a minimal number of parts easily coupled together. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a disk container that is designed to present the disk for easy removal and that is formed of a material of improved pliability as compared to existing disk cases. It is a further object of this invention to provide a disk container having a lid-and-base arrangement that limits the damage of those components under expected use conditions.

[0014] These and other objects of this invention are achieved by providing a two-piece disk container or case having as one of the two pieces a sliding lid for retaining the disk therein. It is contemplated that the disk container may retain any sort of mass storage disk including, but not limited to, CDs, DVDs, computer memory disks and the like. The two pieces of the case may be formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, relatively pliable viscoelastic materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Forming the case of such a material minimizes structural failure of the case under high-stress conditions (such as dropping) and further protects, to a degree, the disk within under such conditions.

[0015] One of the two pieces of the case of this invention is a base and the other is a lid that is detachably affixed to the base by way of a pair of sliding channels. The base includes a pair of opposing sidewalls, an endwall, an opposing front wall, and a transparent faceplate, all of which are integrally formed together. The dimensions of the endwalls and the sidewalls substantially define the dimensions of the case, which dimensions are selectable by the manufacturer or end producer of the disks to be packaged in the case.

[0016] Each of the sidewalls and the single endwall include slide channels at corresponding opposing sides incorporated as part of each sidewall. The slide channels are designed to provide a releasable interference fit with the outer edges of the lid. The use of slide channels rather than hinges enables continual use of the lid and the base. The arrangement of the lid and capturing slide channels also limits the opportunity of the lid to become irreparably dislodged from the base under a wide array of actual-use conditions. The inside perimeter of the lid preferably, and the inside perimeter of the base may, have one or more material-retention tabs for removably capturing in place on the transparent faces thereof any graphic or informational material to be included with the disk. The sidewalls and a front endwall of the lid are designed to couple the lid to the base when the case is closed by way of an interference fit, locking tabs, or other suitable means.

[0017] These provisions together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those artisans possessing skill in the art as the following description proceeds are attained by devices, assemblies, systems and methods of embodiments of the present invention, various embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein: dr

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the compact disk case containing a CD represented as dashed lines.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the compact disk case.

[0020]FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 3-3 in FIG. 7.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 4-4 in FIG. 7.

[0022]FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 7.

[0023]FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken in direction of the arrows and along the plane of line 6-6 in FIG. 7.

[0024]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the disk storage case after the lid has been removed.

[0025]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the disk storage case of FIG. 7.

[0026]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the lid after being removed from the disk storage case.

[0027]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 9.

[0028]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the lid partially slidable drawn open.

[0029]FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the lid essentially fully open to expose the disk recess and hub for receiving a disk for storage.

[0030]FIG. 13 is the top plan view of FIG. 12 with a disk member in the process of being lodged in the dick recess or pocket in the storage base.

[0031]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a disk disposed over a disk pocket or recess.

[0032]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of the lid assembly of FIG. 12 in the process of accepting the disk of FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Referring now to the drawings wherein similar parts of the invention are identified by like reference numbers, there is seen a disk storage container, generally illustrated as 10. The storage container 10 comprises a base, generally illustrated as 12, a pair of side walls, generally illustrated respectively as 14 and 16 and secured to the base 12, and an end wall , generally illustrated as 18 and secured to the base 12 and the side walls 14 and 16. The storage container 10 also comprises a lid, generally illustrated as 20.

[0035] The base 12 includes a recess 24 for removably receiving a disk 28 which is conveniently formed with an aperture 32. Concentrically disposed or formed in the recess 24 is a hub 36 which releasably passes through the aperture 32 of the disk 28 for retaining the disk 28 within the recess 24. The contour (preferably circular) of the recess 24 is defined by a perimeter 40 which is formed by a platform 44 having a planar surface 48. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 a portion 44 a of the platform 44 defines and forms an upright front wall 15.

[0036] The side walls 14 and 16 respectively include channels 14 a and 16 a. The bottoms of channels 14 a and 16 a is formed by the planar surface 48. Stated alternatively, the surface forming the bottom of each of the channels 14 a and 16 a terminates in, and is aligned with, the planar surface 48, as best shown in FIGS. 3-6. Similarly, the end wall 18 includes a channel 18 a whose bottom surface is formed by the planar surface 48. Stated alternatively again, the surface forming the bottom of the channel 18 a terminates in, and is aligned with, the planar surface 48, as best shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7.

[0037] The lid 20 of the storage container 10 comprises opposed sides 60 and 62, and opposed ends 64 and 66, as best shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. End 66 is formed with a lip 67 which may function as a handle and may be grasped in order to manually pull and slide the lid 20. The lid 20 also has a top planar surface 68 and a bottom planar surface 70. Top planar surface 68 includes a corrugated or ridged thumb engager 69 to facilitate the sliding of the lid 20. As best shown in FIG. 1 and 11, opposed sides 60 and 62 are respectively slidably lodged in channels 14 a and 16 a of respective sides 14 and 16. As also best shown in FIG. 1, end 64 of the lid 20 is slidably lodged or disposed in channel 18 a of the end 18 when in a completely closed position.

[0038] The lid 20 may be slid by engaging the thumb engager 69 and moving the lid 20 in direction of the arrow A in FIG. 11. As the lid 20 moves, a portion of the bottom planar surface 70 of the lid 20 slides along the planar surface 48 of the platform 44 while the sides 60 and 62 of the lid 20 slide within the respective channels 14 a and 16 a of the sides 14 and 16. When the lid 20 has been slid sufficiently such as to expose essentially all of the recess 24 as best shown in FIG. 13, the disk 28 may be inserted into the recess 24 by sliding the hub 36 through the aperture 32 of the disk 28. After the disk 28 has been firmly engaged as such, the lid 20 may be slid back into the completely closed position of FIG. 1 for storing and transporting the disk 28.

[0039] The disk container 10 may retain any sort of data-storage disk 28 including, but not limited to, CDs, DVDs, computer memory disks and the like. The various pieces of parts of the storage container 10 may be formed of any suitable material including, but not limited to, relatively pliable viscoelastic materials, such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Forming the disk container 10 of such a material minimizes structural failure of the disk container 10 under high-stress conditions (such as dropping) and further protects the disk 28 within under such conditions.

[0040] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention and not necessarily in all embodiments. Thus, respective appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It is to be understood that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the present invention. It will be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application

[0041] Additionally, any signal arrows in the drawings/Figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used herein is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

[0042] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0043] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed herein. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As indicated, these modifications may be made to the present invention in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present invention and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0044] Thus, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of embodiments of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present invention. It is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for storing a disk comprising: providing a disk having a disk opening; providing a disk storage container having a base with a disk recess and a hub generally concentrically disposed in said disk recess; disengaging an end side of a lid from a rear channel of an upright rear wall attached to said base; sliding opposed sides of the lid in side channels of opposed upright side walls attached to the base and to the upright rear wall; passing the hub of the disk recess through the disk opening of the disk; and resting the disk on a bottom of the disk recess for storing the disk.
 2. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising sliding opposed sides of the lid in said side channels of the opposed upright side wall until the end side of the lid lodges in the rear channel of an upright rear wall.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said disk comprises a CD.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said disk comprises a CD.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein said disk is selected from a CD, a DVD, and a computer memory disk.
 6. The method of claim 2 wherein said disk is selected from a CD, a DVD, and a computer memory disk.
 7. A disk storage assembly comprising a base having a structure defining a generally circular recess having a concentrically disposed hub; an upright rear wall attached to the base and having a structure defining a rear channel; a pair of upright side walls attached to the base and to the upright rear wall with each side wall having a structure defining a side channel that communicates with the rear channel and is generally collimated therewith; a disk disposed in said circular recess; and a lid slidably disposed in said side channels and removable lodged in said rear channel.
 8. The disk storage assembly of claim 7 wherein said lid comprises a depending lip for proving a handle.
 9. The disk storage assembly of claim 7 wherein a contour of the recess is defined by a perimeter which is formed by a platform having a planar surface.
 10. The disk storage assembly of claim 9 wherein a portion of the platform 44 forms an upright front wall.
 11. The disk storage assembly of claim 10 wherein a portion of the planar surface of the platform form a bottom of the rear channel and of the side channels.
 12. A disk storage assembly comprising a base having a structure defining a generally circular recess having a concentrically disposed hub; an upright rear wall attached to the base; a pair of upright side walls attached to the base and to the upright rear wall with each side wall having a structure defining a side channel that communicates with the rear channel and is generally collimated therewith; and a lid slidably disposed in said side channels.
 13. The disk storage assembly of claim 12 wherein said rear wall has a structure defining a rear channel.
 14. The disk storage assembly of claim 13 additionally comprising a disk disposed in said recess.
 15. The disk storage assembly of claim 14 wherein said disk is selected from a CD, a DVD, and a computer memory disk. 